Worldwide, raised blood pressure (BP) or hypertension is the global leading risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality, with the highest prevalence found in Asian and African origin populations. Post-exercise hypotension (PEH), defined as a sustained reduction in BP after a single bout of exercise is an important physiological phenomenon in BP management. However, little is known about the hypotensive effect of a single bout of exercise in non-Caucasian populations. We systematically summarized the acute effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise on BP in a population of African or Asian origin. We searched the MEDLINE database identifying randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on BP in African or Asian populations with optimal BP, high normal BP or hypertension published in a peer reviewed journal up to August 2021. A subsequent meta-analysis was performed using random-effect models fitted to estimate effect sizes. We identified 10 aerobic exercise trials performed in individuals of Asian origin (n = 136; mean age 29.51 (21.2 to 69) years: 78% male; baseline systolic BP/diastolic BP: 118.9 +/- 9.64/68.9 +/- 2.69 mmHg) and 11 aerobic exercise trials involving individuals of African origin (n = 157; mean age 41.05 (29.9 to 49) years; 59% male; baseline systolic BP/diastolic BP: 134.5 +/- 8.65 mmHg/82.2 +/- 3.24 mmHg). Non-significant reductions in office systolic BP and diastolic BP at 30 min post exercise (-2.25 (-6.38 to 1.88) mmHg, p = 0.28/-1.02 (-2.51 to 0.47) mmHg, p = 0.18) and 60 min post exercise (-2.80 (-7.90 to 2.28), p = 0.27/-1.95, (-5.66 to 1.75), p = 0.3) were observed compared to the control intervention. No statistically significant differences were found between both ethnic groups (p > 0.05). Ambulatory BP was reported only in a few African groups. No effect was found on 24h-systolic BP post exercise, but 24h-diastolic BP was statistically significantly reduced (-1.89 (-3.47 to -0.31) mmHg, p < 0.01) after a bout of aerobic exercise compared to the control intervention. The available evidence is insufficient to recommend a single session of aerobic exercise as an efficient tool to lower BP in African and Asian populations. Though, the paucity of data in non-Caucasian populations underscores the need for additional efforts to establish the efficacy of single bouts of exercise, including isometric and dynamic resistance exercise, as a potential non-pharmacological adjunct to help lowering BP in the daily life of descendants of Asian or African origin.
Reprinted by permission from Journal of Human Hypertension, Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

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